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At a time when construction sites dominate the city's thoroughfares, don't underestimate the work scheduled to commence April 21 on Indy's Northwestside.

And don't underestimate the importance of that work to the immediate careers of several Colts.

The team's offseason conditioning program opens April 21 and culminates with its mandatory minicamp June 17-19. In between, players reacquaint themselves with each other and begin the task of building for what the franchise hopes is an appearance in Super Bowl XLIX Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz.

"The way the offseason is set up, we don't have a lot of time with these guys in the offseason to develop guys, especially young guys,'' coach Chuck Pagano said during his wrap-up press conference following the 43-22 AFC divisional playoff loss to New England. "I stress the importance of getting away, recharging, and getting back to work.''

With player safety in mind, the collective bargaining agreement has pared offseason workouts to a voluntary nine-week stretch that unfolds in three phases:

– Phase one runs two weeks and activities are limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation.

– Phase two is a three-week stretch during which on-field workouts are allowed. However, they are limited to individual player instruction and drills as well as team practice conducted on a "separates'' basis, according to a league release. No live contact is permitted and team offense vs. team defense is prohibited.

– Activity ramps up during Phase three, which consists of the Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Teams are allowed to hold a maximum of 10 OTA sessions. No live contact is allowed, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

The Colts' OTAs are May 27-29, June 2-4 and June 9-12. The team also has scheduled a rookie minicamp May 16-18.

The value of the constricted offseason workout period is magnified for newcomers: linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, defensive lineman Arthur Jones, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. There are new schemes and teammates to learn. Management has invested heavily in that trio and expects immediate returns.

It's also a critical time for returning players, especially running back Trent Richardson and center Khaled Holmes.

Richardson was a lightning rod for criticism after the Colts acquired him in a Sept. 18 trade with Cleveland. He averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in 14 regular-season games. He appeared slow and indecisive.

As Richardson's struggles continued, he and the team conceded unfamiliarity with the offensive system contributed to those struggles. He made his first appearance at San Francisco, less than a week after joining the team.

"Now he has an opportunity to go through an offseason, be with us for a full year,'' Pagano said. "It's going to be very, very important for him to be here for the offseason program and to dive into this thing full steam ahead.''

Richardson, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, agreed.

"Y'all will see a big significant difference in the way I play, the speed,'' he said. "I won't have to think about a lot of stuff. It's going to be big. Timing with the offensive line. Timing with Andrew (Luck).

"Just knowing a lot more with the program, the whole system. You never get to learn once you get put in in the middle of a season.''

Holmes, meanwhile, needs to show significant progress following what amounted to a red-shirt rookie season. The 2013 fourth-round draft pick was forced to play catch-up from the outset after missing virtually all of training camp with an ankle injury. He was inactive for nine games and played sparingly in three others at the end of the season.

With the March release of two-year starter Samson Satele, Holmes is expected to compete for the starting job with free-agent acquisition Phil Costa.